Where Should You Go To See The Big 5 In The New Year?

Now that winter is upon us, you may well have some big plans for the coming months that don’t just involve a traditional Christmas at home followed by the grim, cold and dark days of January. Instead, a big sunshine adventure awaits you.

There are certainly far worse ways to spend the New Year than getting away from the cold and gloom and enjoying a safari in Africa, where you can soak up some hot sun, enjoy stunning scenery and seek out the thrill of spotting wildlife.

What are the Big 5?

For anyone going on such a safari, the holy grail is to see the so-called Big 5. These animals are:

·   Lions

·       Leopards

·       Buffalo

·       Elephants

·       Rhinos

The term dates back to colonial times, and it was based on these being the most impressive animals for hunters to shoot.

These days, however, the focus is on conservation, with some of these creatures, especially rhinos, being endangered due to poaching based on inaccurate ideas about powdered horns (or elephant ivory) having medicinal benefits. In addition, lions have lost most of their habitats.

Because of this, the conservation of creatures and habitats alike is a necessity and your trip will have a role to play in helping to fund efforts to preserve wildlife. Nobody wants this to be the last generation that can see the Big 5 and you would not want to lose future opportunities to come back and do it again.

The appeal of a safari and the importance of conservation may be clear, but there are still some important questions to consider. The first of them is: where should you go? The second is how should you prepare, not least when it comes to clothing and footwear? Our men’s safari boot range should help you answer the second question.

Where Can You Still See The Big 5?

Despite all the actions of humans that have reduced habitats or endangered species, there are still several places you can go and see all of the Big 5 on Safari. Go2Africa lists several of these:

·       Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve (adjacent to the Kruger National Park) and Madikwe Private Game Reserve, South Africa

·       Chobe National Park and Okavango Delta, Botswana

·       Masai Mara, Kenya

·       Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

·       Hwange and Mana Pools National Parks, Zimbabwe

The New Year may not always be the best time to visit all of these. For instance, there is a greater chance of seeing lions in the Masai Mara between August and November, when the wildebeest migration offers a spectacular extra feature, as well as attracting hunting lions.

On the other hand, Tanzania may be a good early-year option as it coincides with one of the most popular times to include an ascent of Kilimanjaro in the adventure. Some locations are great places to go at any time of the year.

Having chosen where to go, it is time to select the right boots. This is an area that some people might overlook. 

Of course, it is important to consider key issues like your inoculations, the right clothing for hot sunshine and to help keep mosquitoes at bay at night (long sleeves and full-length trousers in pale colours). But don’t neglect the boots.

Why Are Great Safari Boots So Important?

A good safari boot has several important qualities. It has to be comfortable, which is essential because you will be wearing it for hours on end. 

It must also be good at protecting your feet against everything from sharp thorns to hard, rocky ground. It also needs to be durable and long-lasting; by investing in quality, you get boots that will not let you down.

Like a traditional walking boot, it should also have a waterproof lining and support your ankles against twists and sprains on uneven ground. 

However, many hiking boots are not the most comfortable and sometimes they only fit well if you have big, thick socks on. That is ideal for hiking across moors and mountains in the chilly UK, but not for the heat of Africa.

These, of course, are just the basics you should expect in a high-quality boot. In addition, the boost should be stylish and classy, something your friends will be sure to notice when they see your holiday photos.

What Safari Boots Do We Offer?

Our range of men’s safari boots can offer all of these qualities, but you may want to choose something more specific for particular trips.

For example, take the aforementioned Okavango Delta in Botswana. This remarkable inland delta, surrounded by the arid Kalahari Desert, is a place where you may be as likely to spend time in a boat as a jeep. 

That could make it ideal for the Marsh Harrier boot, as you can be sure you won’t always be stepping onto dry ground.

A more classical safari boot is the Osprey, which is particularly lightweight and breathable, making it ideal for safaris where you may spend a lot of time on foot rather than sitting in the back of a 4x4 and where you don’t want the heat to make your feet sweat too much.

For more challenging terrain, the Harrier is the best option, with its tough leather and textured tread developed for challenging territory such as mountainsides, while the Golden Eagle is a super stylish boot that may be worn as readily on the streets of the town or around the hotel as it is on a safari.

Whichever boots you choose, you can be sure these are top-quality products designed to ensure that your feet are kept in maximum comfort and style throughout your trip, enhancing your holiday and no doubt being the envy of anyone else on the safari who didn’t obtain anything of such quality.

Every time you set eyes on one of the Big 5 will be a great moment, one of the key reasons you came on the trip. To see them all is the dream, although this can never be guaranteed.

What you can be sure of, however, is that by choosing a pair of safari boots from our range, you can enjoy an abundance of comfort, security and style.